Peristaltic pump devices, methods, and systems

ABSTRACT

A peristaltic pump with a removable pump race module has guiding channels for receiving at least a portion of a flexible fluid-carrying tubing and an adjusting device for displacing a flexible inner portion of the removable pump race module to change the compression on the fluid-carrying tubing. The arrangement of the various elements makes it particularly suitable in configurations where compactness and convenience are important considerations.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is an International Application, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/289,070, filed on Dec.22, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/267,782, filed on Dec.8, 2009, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties.

FIELD OF ENDEAVOR

The disclosed embodiments relate generally to a pump to pump fluids, andmore particularly to a peristaltic pumping devices, methods, and systemsthat have favorable properties in many applications, particularly inapplications for a compact and/or portable devices.

BACKGROUND

Peristaltic pumps are used for transferring various fluids includinggases, viscous liquids, and mixed phase fluids such as gas/liquid andsolid/liquid combinations, in various applications where sanitaryconditions apply and where the fluid-carrying tubing has to be changedfrequently. Peristaltic pumps are common in many different fields suchas the medical, pharmaceutical, chemical, and environmental industries,as well as other fields where the purity of the fluid duringtransmission needs to be maintained. A peristaltic pump typicallyincludes a rotary assembly (rollers) which compels the movement of afluid by peristaltic compression of the resilient tubes containing thefluid against a rigid surface of the pump known as the pump occlusion.The intersection between the rollers and the occlusion region is knownas the operating area of the pump. In operation, the rotating rollersexert pressure on the flexible tubing to propel the fluid, and thenegative pressure formed when the tubing returns to its normal positionsucks the fluid from a fluid source and forces the fluid to travelcontinuously through the tubing.

One of the advantages of using a peristaltic pump is that only the tubecontacts the fluid preventing the fluid from contacting other parts ofthe pump preventing contamination of the fluid by the pump and viceversa. One of the issues with peristaltic pumps is the need forreplacing the tubing, either for sterility reasons, because of wear, orother reasons. Additionally, peristaltic pumps may provide a mechanismfor regulating the pinching force of the rollers exerted on the tubing.The environment of compact and light weight devices and systems createsa need for improvements in the design of peristaltic pumps that providesadvantages in terms of usability, reliability, and addresses the otherrequirements of peristaltic pumps such as maintenance and regulationsuch as those mentioned above.

SUMMARY

A peristaltic pump with a removable pump race module has guidingchannels for receiving at least a portion of a flexible fluid-carryingtubing and an adjusting device for displacing a flexible inner portionof the removable pump race module to change the compression on thefluid-carrying tubing. The arrangement of the various elements makes itparticularly suitable in configurations where compactness andconvenience are important considerations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an assembled and closed pumpaccording to an embodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2 is a projection of a pump according to an embodiment of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 3 is a top projection of a pump according to an embodiment of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 4 is a projection of section A-A of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a bottom projection of a pump according to an embodiment ofthe disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 6 is a projection of section A-A of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a pump according to anembodiment of the disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of peristaltic pump components includingbase, roller carriage, and motor drive according to an embodiment of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 9 is a ghost projection of a pump according to an embodiment of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 shows the motor and drive shaft and base of the pump.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view the roller carriage.

FIG. 13 is a ghost end projection of the roller carriage.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of a roller carriage.

FIG. 15A is an exploded front perspective view a pump race module.

FIG. 15B is a figurative view of a pump race module with tubinginstalled thereon showing how tubes bend 180 degrees from one side andaround a race portion and back 180 degrees so that the incoming andoutgoing flow lines are parallel according to an embodiment of thedisclosed subject matter.

FIG. 16 is a side ghost projection showing a the pump race module.

FIG. 17 is a projection of section A-A of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a distal plate that supports the driveshaft.

FIG. 19 is an end view of the distal plate.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a tubing set with a preinstalled pumprace module shown in an application according to an embodiment of thedisclosed subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-19 show a peristaltic pump 100 with a motor drive 30 and aremovable outer pump race module 10 surrounding a roller carriage 50(visible in FIGS. 7 and 8) to define an enclosed pumping tube channel 60(shown in FIG. 7). Both the pump race module 10 and the motor drive 30are mounted on a support base 20. A distal end plate 40 provided withscrews 41 for attachment to the support base 20. The outer pump racemodule 10 has at least one pump race arch 16 (shown in FIG. 15A) thatpartially surrounds a roller carriage 50 (shown in FIG. 7) positioned inthe working area 70 of the pump so that the outer pump race module 10together with the support base 20 and the distal end plate 40effectively enclose the working area 70 of the pump.

The removable pump race module 10 can be securely mounted on the supportbase 20 using any suitable fasteners 11, such as, bolts, screws, capscrews, rivets, etc, inserted in corresponding support guides 12. In theillustrated embodiment, the support guides 12 help to ensure alignmentof the race module 10 with respect to the base 20, however a broadmating surface on race module 10 that adjoins a mating surface on thebase 20 could be used for this purpose as well as other mechanisms. Thepump race module 10 can also be provided with a pump race force adjuster13, which may include an adjusting screw 13B that can be moved preciselyin a threaded liner 13A bonded to the pump race module 10. The adjustingscrew 13B exerts a force to separate a race portion 16B and supportportion 16A of the pump race arch 16 thereby opening and closing the gap10G in the pump race module 10. Since the support portion 16A is fixedrelative to the pump and roller carriage 50, this adjustment determinesthe force applied by the pump race surface 17 of the pump race portion16B against the tubing and compensated by the pump roller carriage 50.

The pump race force adjuster 13 is shows also in FIGS. 15A-17. The pumprace module 10 may be of poly ethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride,or any suitable polymer or may be of metal. Preferably, the pump racemodule 10 is a relatively inexpensive part that can be providedpreassembled with tubing as a disposable component or one that can beused a limited number of times before replacement. See FIG. 20 anddescription below of a tubing set 200 with preinstalled tubing 201 and apump race module 216.

FIG. 7 shows the peristaltic pump 100 with a removable pump race module10, a motor drive 30, a support base 20, distal end plate 40 and aroller carriage 50. The support base 20 positions a bearing 42 thatrotatably supports a drive shaft 31 of the motor drive 30. The motordrive 30, which may be a gear motor, can be secured to distal end plate22 of the support base 20 by any suitable securement such as mountingscrews 23 that secure a motor housing 32 of the motor drive 30 (see FIG.11).

The drive shaft 31 rotates a pump roller carriage 50 with an array ofequidistant and circumferentially spaced compression rollers 52. Each ofthe compression rollers 52 rotate about respective shafts 53 which arerotatably secured at respective ends thereof to rotor end plates 51. Therotor end plates 51 are configured to engage a flat 31A of the driveshaft 31 so that they are rotated by the motor 30 (see FIGS. 12-14). Therotation of the drive shaft 31 drives the compression rollers 52, whichselectively compress a fluid-carrying tube 60 (see FIG. 15B) so as toeffect peristaltic pumping.

FIGS. 8-10 and FIGS. 18-19 show the pump 100 with the pump race module10 removed. The roller carriage 50 is secured at one end to the mountingplate 22 of the support base 20, and at the other end to the end plate40. The drive shaft 31 is attached to the end plate 40 via bearing 42,which may be a journal bearing such as one of porous metal such assintered bronze or aluminum that retains a lubricant. The end plate 40can also be securely fastened to the support base 20 using fastenerssuch as screws 41.

The removable pump race module 10 is shown in FIGS. 15A-17. FIG. 15B isa figurative section view of a pump race module 10 including thefluid-carrying tubing 60 showing how tubes bend 180 degrees from oneside and around a race portion and back 180 degrees so that the incomingand outgoing flow lines are parallel. The integrated removable pump racemodule 10 has: the pump race arch 16 which generally surrounds a rollercarriage 50 and is positioned above the roller carriage 50 so as definean adjustable space between the pump race surface 17 of the pump racearch 16 and the upper surface of the rollers 52; two support guides 12through which the fasteners 11 (e.g., fastening screws) can be insertedfor mounting the removable pump race module 10 to the support base 20;and a plurality of holding clips 14 in flanges 14A to securely hold theinput end portion 60 a and the output end portion 60 b of thefluid-carrying tubing 60. The input and output portions 60 a and 60 b ofthe fluid-carrying tubing 60 are held by the holding clips 14 so thatthey are arranged parallel to each other with the support guides 12while the working portion 60 c of the fluid-carrying tubing 60 isinstalled between the pump race surface 17 of the pump race arch 16 andthe rollers 52 and in which fluid-containing tubes are held.

Removal of the fluid tubing from the peristaltic pump is easilyaccomplished by detaching the pump race module 10 from the support base20 (by unscrewing the fasteners 11, for example) and holding theparallel tubes as a bundle and pulling them away from the pump in adirection radial with respect to the roller carriage 50. Thisarrangement allows one to conveniently handle the pump race module andtubes even if the pump 100 is placed in a recess or relativelyinaccessible location or environment. Also, the fasteners 11 and pumprace force adjuster 13 are accessible from the same side as the tubesare routed which allows for the pump race module 10 and tubes to bereplaced conveniently and easily. Also adjustment of the pump race ismade easier. This is illustrated in FIG. 20 discussed next.

FIG. 20 illustrates a tubing set 200 with a pump race module 216 andtubes 204 and 206 which bend as shown at 212 and 232 forming an archedportion 234 which follows the shape of pump race module 216. The tubes204 and 206 are held by clips as discussed above and indicated here forexample at 252. All of the tubing portions 204, 206, 228, and 230 extendaway from the pump race module 216 parallel to the axes 224 of fasteners222 and adjusting screw (13B) axis 226. With the illustratedarrangement, a tubing set 200 can be conveniently installed in aconfined space such defined by an opening 214 in an enclosure 208 of aprocessing system. The tube portions 204, 206, 228, and 230 can extendthrough an available access (e.g., opening 214) through which thefasteners 222 and the pump race force adjuster 218 (similar to pump raceforce adjuster 13) may be accessed. The pump 100 and roller carriage 50would be located in a position such that insertion of the assembly 200as illustrated by arrow 252 would allow the pump race module 216 toengage it.

Referring again also to FIGS. 15A-17 the fasteners 11, the pump raceforce adjuster 13 and the input and output end portions 60 a and 60 b ofthe tubing 60 facing in the same direction (when looking at it from thetop) allows for easy attachment and removal of the pump race module 10as well as easy removal and replacement of the fluid-carrying tubing 60.The tubing 60 can be easily removed from the pump race module 10 byholding the tubing 60 as a bundle. The assembly 200 can be preconfiguredwith the pump race module and the tubing held in the clips,pre-sterilized and contained in a sterile package 260.

The arcuate portion 16 of the pump race module 10 has a first curved(arcuate, U-shaped) upper portion 16A with a second curved (arcuate,U-shaped) lower portion 16B, the lower portion 16B has the pump racesurface 17, which faces the roller carriage 50. The pump race surface 17functions as a pump race against which the tubing 60 is selectivelycompressed by the rollers 52 on roller carriage 50. The pump racesurface 17 of the second curved portion 16B also includes guidingchannels 18 to receive and hold in place at least a working portion 60 cof the fluid-carrying tubing 60.

The first and second curved portions 16A and 16B are joined at aflexible portion 19 so as to leave the second end portion 19A of thesecond curved portion 16B floating. This permits flexible movement ofthe lower curved portion 16B away and toward the rollers 52 of theroller carriage 50 so that the gap 10G varies thereby moving the lowercurved portion 16B toward and away from the rollers 52 responsively tothe adjuster screw 13B.

The upper curved portion 16A also includes an opening 15 in which thethreaded liner 13A is fixedly inserted and into which the adjuster screw13B is threaded. The adjuster screw 13B makes contact with an uppersurface of the curved portion 16B. The lower curved portion 16B isshaped so as to accommodate contact with the adjuster screw 13B withoutbeing damaged and may have a metal surface to relieve the pressureexerted by the adjuster screw 13B.

By exerting pressure on the contact surface of the lower curved portion16B, the lower curved portion 16B can be moved away from the uppercurved portion 16A—which increases the size of a gap 10G—and closer tothe roller carriage 50. By moving the lower curved portion 16B closer tothe roller carriage 50, the fluid-carrying tubing 60 positioned in theguiding channels 18 is further compressed. When the pressure on thecontact surface of the lower curved portion 16B is released, the curvedportion 16B moves back to its original position, releasing compressionon the fluid-carrying tubing 60. Changing compression on the tubes 60incorporating the fluid effectively controls the fluid pressure andfluid flow in the tubing 60. The pump race force adjuster 13 caninclude, for example, a threaded liner 13A with adjusting screw 13B sothat the fluid pressure and fluid flow is controlled by turning thescrew head.

While the preferred forms of the disclosed subject matter have beendisclosed, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variouschanges and modifications may be made that will achieve some of theadvantages of the disclosed subject matter without departing from thespirit and scope of the disclosed subject matter. It will be apparent tothose reasonably skilled in the art that other components performing thesame function may be suitably substituted. Although specific embodimentsof the disclosed subject matter have been described, variousmodifications, alterations, alternative constructions, and equivalentsare also encompassed within the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

1. A peristaltic pump, comprising: a base member supporting a rotatingroller carriage and a drive connected to the roller carriage to rotateit with respect to the base; a pump race member shaped to arch over theroller carriage; the pump race member forming U-shape with extendersthat meet at a bowl, the extenders curving in parallel around the rollercarriage, with one extender having a race surface that faces the rollercarriage and the other extender being fixedly attached to the base; anadjustment member configured to adjust a distance between the extendersthereby to vary a force applied to tubing laid between the race surfaceand the roller carriage.
 2. The pump as claimed in claim 1, wherein theadjustment member is further configured to contact an upper surface ofthe extender having a race surface that faces the roller carriage. 3.The pump as claimed in claim 2, wherein the extender having the racesurface that faces the roller carriage is shaped so as to permit contactwith the adjustment member.
 4. The pump as claimed in claim 3, whereinthe extender includes a metal surface portion configured to relievepressure exerted by the adjustment member on its upper surface.
 5. Thepump as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adjustment member includes anadjuster screw inserted into a threaded liner, the adjustment memberbeing configured such that the force is exerted on the surface of theextender by the movement of the adjuster screw.
 6. A pumping devicehaving a rotary portion to compel a movement of a fluid by peristalticcompression of a tubing containing the fluid, the pumping devicecomprising: a base member; a roller carriage having a central axis ofrotation, adapted to be mounted on said base member and to make anoccludable contact with the tubing; and a pump race module attachable tosaid base member by screws so as to generally surround said rollercarriage, said pump race module having a flexible curved wall sectionwith a cylindrical pump race surface thereon; a portion of said tubingbeing held and supported by the pump race module so that the tubingextends along said cylindrical pump race surface and forms at least twoparallel pumping tubing portions connecting to at least four inflow andoutflow tubing portions that are held by clips so that they extend awayfrom the pump race module in a parallel array which is parallel to axesof the screws.
 7. A peristaltic pump for propelling a fluid, comprising:a support assembly; a motor device having a drive shaft and connected tosaid support assembly, the drive shaft adapted for rotation about alongitudinal axis; a fluid-carrying flexible tube; a rotation assemblymounted on said drive shaft to be carried by the driving member formovement in a circular path during rotation of the drive shaft about thelongitudinal axis, the rotating assembly including a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced rollers for selective engagement of the rollerswith the fluid-carrying flexible tube so that the rollers selectivelycompress and occlude said tube during rotation; and a pump race moduleremovably mounted on the support assembly using securing means so thatthe pump race module substantially encloses the rotation assembly, thepump race module including a flexible curved member, an inner surface ofthe flexible curved member configured to receive at least a portion ofthe fluid-carrying tube; wherein the pump race module further includesfastening means to hold a fluid input portion and a fluid output portionof the fluid-carrying tube so that, when in place, the input and outputfluid portions face substantially in the same direction when viewed fromthe top as the securing means and are parallel with the securing means.8. A pumping device having a rotary portion to compel a movement of afluid by peristaltic compression of a tubing containing the fluid, thepumping device comprising: a base member; a roller carriage mounted onthe base member and adapted to make an occludable contact with thetubing; and a removable pump race module including a flexible curvedsection, the pump race module being configured to be attached to saidbase member so as to generally surround said roller carriage and todefine a passageway between said flexible curved section and the rollercarriage, the tubing being positioned in said passageway; wherein thepump race module further includes an adjusting member to adjustcompression of the tubing against the roller carriage by pressing asurface the flexible curved section toward the roller carriage.
 9. Thedevice as claimed in claim 8, wherein the casing member further includesa second curved section positioned circumferentially with the flexiblecurved section, the adjusting member having a first end portion attachedto the second curved section and a second end portion adjacent to theflexible curved section so that moving the first end portion generates adisplacement of the flexible curved section relative to the secondcurved section.
 10. The device as claimed in claim 8, wherein theadjusting member is a top screw, and the displacement of the flexiblecurved section is done by turning the top screw.
 11. The device asclaimed in claim 10, wherein the flexible curved section is shaped so asto accommodate contact with the top screw without damage to the surfaceof the flexible curved section.
 12. The device as claimed in claim 11,wherein the flexible curved section includes a metal portion to relievepressure exerted on its surface by the top screw.
 13. A method ofremoving a fluid-carrying tube from a peristaltic pump, comprising:detaching a removable pump race module from a base member, the basemember supporting a roller carriage adapted to rotate around a centralaxis and configured to occludably contact a portion of thefluid-carrying tube extending along an inner portion of the pump racemodule, the pump race module being positioned to surround the rollercarriage; and removing the fluid-carrying tube from the detached pumprace module.
 14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein thedetaching of the removable pump race module includes removing a securingmember used to attach the pump race module to the base member.
 15. Themethod as claimed in claim 14, wherein the removing of the fluidcarrying tube includes holding the tubes as a bundle and pulling themaway from the pump.
 16. A method for adjusting flow of a fluid in afluid-carrying tube of a peristaltic pump, the method comprising:adjusting a height of a passageway formed between an inner curvedflexible portion of a pump race module and a rotor device configured tocompress and occlude the fluid-carrying tube resting in the passageway;wherein the adjusting includes displacing the inner curved flexibleportion of the pump race module using an adjusting member; and whereinthe adjusting member includes a first end portion attached to a secondcurved portion partially surrounding the inner curved flexible portionof the pump race module, and a second end portion adjacent to the innercurved flexible portion so that moving the first end portion generates adisplacement of the inner curved portion relative to the second curvedportion.
 17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the adjustingmember includes a top screw inserted into an opening having a threadedliner, and the adjusting is done by turning the screw head.
 18. Aremovable pump race module to be attached to a base member of a pumphaving a rotating device which compels the movement of a fluid byperistaltic compression of a flexible tubing containing the fluid, thepump race module comprising: a curved member including an outer curvedportion partially surrounding an inner curved portion, one end of theinner curved portion being connected to the outer curved portion, andanother end of the inner curved portion being free; at least oneconnecting member for attaching the pump race module to the base memberso that the pump race module generally encloses the rotating device; andan adjusting device for adjusting a compression of the flexible tubingcontaining the fluid by displacing the inner curved portion of the pumprace module relative to the outer curved portion.
 19. The removable pumprace module as claimed in claim 18, wherein the adjusting device has afirst end portion connected to the first curved portion and a second endportion in contact with a surface of the inner curved portion.
 20. Theremovable pump race module as claimed in claim 19, wherein the adjustingdevice is a top screw positioned adjacent to the free end of the innercurved portion.
 21. A removable pump race module to be attached to abase member of a pump having a rotating device which compels themovement of a fluid by peristaltic compression of a flexible tubingcontaining the fluid, the pump race module comprising: a curved memberof polymer including an outer curved portion partially surrounding aninner curved portion, one end portion of the inner curved portion beingfixed and another end portion of the inner curved portion being freewhen the outer curved portion is secured to the base member, the innercurved portion including at least one channel defining a circular paththerealong configured to receive at least a portion of the flexibletubing containing the fluid; at least one fastening member for attachingthe pump race module to the base member so that the pump race modulegenerally encloses the rotating device; securing means to fasten a fluidinput portion and a fluid output portion of the flexible tubing to thepump race module so that the fluid input portion and the fluid outputportions are substantially parallel with the fastening member; and anadjusting device for adjusting a compression of the flexible tubingcontaining the fluid by displacing the inner curved portion of the pumprace module relative to the outer curved portion, the adjusting devicepositioned adjacent to the free end of the inner curved portion; thecurved member and flexible tubing being enclosed in a sterile packageand forming a consumable component of a blood treatment system.
 22. Atubing set for a blood treatment system, comprising: a tubing supportwith clips and a curved surface forming a pump race, the tubing supporthaving tubes wrapped therearound and held by the clips and furtherconfigured to attach to a pump having a roller carriage such that thetubes are compressed between the roller carriage and the pump race whenthe tubing support is attached to the pump; the tubing support and tubesbeing wrapped in a sterile package and being sterile therewithin.
 23. Ablood treatment system, comprising: a tubing support with clips and acurved surface forming a pump race, the tubing support having tubeswrapped therearound and held by the clips and further configured toattach to a pump having a roller carriage such that the tubes arecompressed between the roller carriage and the pump race when the tubingsupport is attached to the pump; the tubing support and tubes beingwrapped in a sterile package and being sterile therewithin; a bloodtreatment machine with a portion having an enclosure housing the pump,the enclosure having an access, the access having opposing sides whosesize is substantially the size of the tubing support such that thesupport and tubes thereattached just fit the opposing sides.
 24. Thesystem of claim 23, wherein the enclosure houses components of aportable blood treatment machine.
 25. The system of claim 23 or 24,wherein tubing support is attachable to the support by connecting screwshaving respective axes that are parallel, the tubing support having anadjustment screw for adjusting pressure of the pump race against thetubes, the adjustment screw having an axis that is parallel to therespective axes of the connecting screws.
 26. The system of claim 25,wherein the adjustment and connecting screw axes are perpendicular to aline joining the opposing sides.
 27. The system of claim 25, wherein theadjustment and connecting screw axes are accessible through the access.28. The system of claim 25, wherein the access is an opening and theadjustment and connecting screw axes are perpendicular to a planedefined by the opening.
 29. A pumping device having a rotary portion tocompel a movement of a fluid by peristaltic compression of a tubingcontaining the fluid, the pumping device comprising: a base member; aroller assembly having a central axis of rotation, adapted to be mountedon said base member and to make an occludable contact with the tubing;and a casing module attachable to said base member by screws so as togenerally surround said roller assembly, said casing module having aflexible curved wall section including at least one guiding channeldefining a cylindrical surface therealong; wherein a portion of saidtubing is held and supported by the casing module so that the tubingextends along said at least one guiding channel such that the tubing andcasing module form an integral unit with the tubing extending generallyparallel and away from the casing module and parallel to the screws. 30.A peristaltic pump for propelling a fluid, comprising: a supportassembly; a motor device having a drive shaft and connected to saidsupport assembly, the drive shaft adapted for rotation about alongitudinal axis; a fluid-carrying flexible tube; a rotation assemblymounted on said drive shaft to be carried by the driving member formovement in a circular path during rotation of the drive shaft about thelongitudinal axis, the rotating assembly including a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced rollers for selective engagement of the rollerswith the fluid-carrying flexible tube so that the rollers selectivelycompress and occlude said tube during rotation; and a housing moduleremovably mounted on the support assembly using securing means so thatthe housing module substantially encloses the rotation assembly, thehousing module including a flexible curved member, an inner surface ofthe flexible curved member configured to receive at least a portion ofthe fluid-carrying tube; wherein the housing module further includesfastening means to hold a fluid input portion and a fluid output portionof the fluid-carrying tube so that when in place, the input and outputfluid portions face substantially in the same direction when viewed fromthe top as the securing means and are parallel with the securing means.31. A pumping device having a rotary portion to compel a movement of afluid by peristaltic compression of a tubing containing the fluid, thepumping device comprising: a base member; a roller assembly mounted onthe base member and adapted to make an occludable contact with thetubing; and a removable casing module including a flexible curvedsection, the casing module being configured to be attached to said basemember so as to generally surround said roller assembly and to define apassageway between said flexible curved section and the roller assembly,the tubing being positioned in said passageway; wherein the casingmodule further includes an adjusting member to adjust compression of thetubing against the roller assembly by pressing a surface the flexiblecurved section toward the roller assembly.
 32. The device as claimed inclaim 31, wherein the casing member further includes a second curvedsection positioned circumferentially with the flexible curved section,the adjusting member having a first end portion attached to the secondcurved section and a second end portion adjacent to the flexible curvedsection so that moving the first end portion generates a displacement ofthe flexible curved section relative to the second curved section. 33.The device as claimed in claim 32, wherein the adjusting member is a topscrew, and the displacement of the flexible curved section is done byturning the top screw.
 34. A method of removing a fluid-carrying tubefrom a peristaltic pump, comprising: detaching a removable casing modulefrom a base member, the base member supporting a roller assembly adaptedto rotate around a central axis and configured to occludably contact aportion of the fluid-carrying tube extending along an inner portion ofthe casing module, the casing module being positioned to surround theroller assembly; and removing the fluid-carrying tube from the detachedcasing module.
 35. The method as claimed in claim 34, wherein thedetaching of the removable casing module includes removing a securingmember used to attach the casing module to the base member.
 36. A methodfor adjusting flow of a fluid in a fluid-carrying tube of a peristalticpump, the method comprising: adjusting a height of a passageway formedbetween an inner curved flexible portion of a casing module and a rotordevice configured to compress and occlude the fluid-carrying tuberesting in the passageway; wherein the adjusting includes displacing theinner curved flexible portion of the casing module using an adjustingmember; and wherein the adjusting member includes a first end portionattached to a second curved portion partially surrounding the innercurved flexible portion of the casing module, and a second end portionadjacent to the inner curved flexible portion so that moving the firstend portion generates a displacement of the inner curved portionrelative to the second curved portion.
 37. A removable housing module tobe attached to a base member of a pumping arrangement having a rotatingdevice which compels the movement of a fluid by peristaltic compressionof a flexible tubing containing the fluid, the housing modulecomprising: a curved member including an outer curved portion partiallysurrounding an inner curved portion, one end of the inner curved portionbeing connected to the outer curved portion, and another end of theinner curved portion being free; at least one connecting member forattaching the housing module to the base member so that the housingmodule generally encloses the rotating device; and an adjusting devicefor adjusting a compression of the flexible tubing containing the fluidby displacing the inner curved portion of the housing module relative tothe outer curved portion.
 38. The removable housing module as claimed inclaim 39, wherein the adjusting device has one end portion connected tothe first curved portion and a second end portion in contact with asurface of the inner curved portion.
 39. The removable housing module asclaimed in claim 38, wherein the adjusting device is a top screwpositioned adjacent to the free end of the inner curved portion.
 40. Aremovable housing module to be attached to a base member of a pumpingarrangement having a rotating device which compels the movement of afluid by peristaltic compression of a flexible tubing containing thefluid, the housing module comprising: a curved member including an outercurved portion partially surrounding an inner curved portion, one endportion of the inner curved portion being fixed and another end portionof the inner curved portion being free, the inner curved portionincluding at least one channel defining a circular path therealongconfigured to receive at least a portion of the flexible tubingcontaining the fluid; at least one fastening member for attaching thehousing module to the base member so that the housing module generallyencloses the rotating device; securing means to fasten a fluid inputportion and a fluid output portion of the flexible tubing to the housingmodule so that the fluid input portion and the fluid output portions aresubstantially parallel with the fastening member; and an adjustingdevice for adjusting a compression of the flexible tubing containing thefluid by displacing the inner curved portion of the housing modulerelative to the outer curved portion, the adjusting device positionedadjacent to the free end of the inner curved portion.
 41. A removablepump race module to be attached to a base member of a pump having arotating device which compels the movement of a fluid by peristalticcompression of a flexible tubing containing the fluid, the pump racemodule comprising: a curved member of polymer including an outer curvedportion partially surrounding an inner curved portion, one end portionof the inner curved portion being fixed and another end portion of theinner curved portion being free when the outer curved portion is securedto the base member, the inner curved portion including at least onechannel defining a circular path therealong configured to receive atleast a portion of the flexible tubing containing the fluid; at leastone fastening member for attaching the pump race module to the basemember so that the pump race module generally encloses the rotatingdevice; securing means to fasten a fluid input portion and a fluidoutput portion of the flexible tubing to the pump race module so thatthe fluid input portion and the fluid output portions are substantiallyparallel with the fastening member; and an adjusting device foradjusting a compression of the flexible tubing containing the fluid bydisplacing the inner curved portion of the pump race module relative tothe outer curved portion, the adjusting device positioned adjacent tothe free end of the inner curved portion.
 42. The module as claimed inclaim 41, wherein the adjusting device includes a first end portionconnected to the outer curved portion and a second end portion incontact with a surface of the inner curved portion.
 43. The module asclaimed in claim 42, wherein the adjusting device is a top screwpositioned adjacent to the free end of the inner curved portion.
 44. Themodule as claimed in claim 43, wherein the curved member and flexibletubing being enclosed in a sterile package and forming a consumablecomponent of a blood treatment system.